Bellingham, WA vs Lafayette, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Bellingham
66.3
#1553 nationally
Lafayette
62.7
#1832 nationally
Lafayette leads in crime level (2.2 vs 9.6). Lafayette leads in median household income ($219,250 vs $64,026). Bellingham leads in cost of living index (137 vs 280).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Bellingham, WA | Lafayette, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.3 (#1553) | 62.7 (#1832) |
| Population | 94,720 | 25,048 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $672,756 | $1,941,109 |
| Median Household Income | $64,026 | $219,250 |
| Average Commute | 18.7 min | 29.7 min |
| Walk Score | 49 | 26 |
| Crime Level | 9.6 | 2.2 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 137 | 280 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+24.9 | D+38.0 |
D
66.3 Score
Bellingham, WA
Washington community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$672,756
Population
94,720
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
49
Pacific
View Bellingham, WA →
D-
62.7 Score
Lafayette, CA
Small California city with local appeal
Median Home
$1,941,109
Population
25,048
Crime
Low
Walk Score
26
Pacific
View Lafayette, CA →
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